SPRINGFIELD – Lincoln Land Community College has been awarded an $882,863 grant to develop workforce training programs in agricultural watershed and landscape lake management.
The funding is part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) competitive grantprogram, which is co-administered by the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Education.
LLCC is one of four community colleges in Illinois to receive grants as part of the Building Illinois’ Bioeconomy Consortium. Other consortium members are Lewis and Clark, Carl Sandburg and Southeastern Illinois Colleges.
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville is serving as consortium leader. Total award to the consortium is $9,956,011.
The training programs developed by the consortium will allow students to earn industry certifications and postsecondary certificates. They will also create degrees in water management, storm water management, agricultural watershed management, bioprocessing, process maintenance and biofuels.
LLCC will be developing new stackable certificates, one-year programs and associate in applied science programs in agricultural watershed and landscape lake management.
“We will be training students for careers in water management and protecting the safety of our water supply through filtering systems,” said Dr. Judy Jozaitis, vice president of workforce development and community education. “These programs will be at the forefront of an issue of vital importance to all of us: the continued safety and availability of water. The programs are closely related to agriculture and managing the run-off of agricultural chemicals into rivers, lakes and streams.”
The programs will be targeted to dislocated workers and those seeking retraining to enter into a new career. It will be open to anyone who wishes to prepare for anticipated regulations in the field of agricultural watershed and water management.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the $450 million in job-driven training grants announced Monday will provide community colleges and other higher education institutions with funds to partner with employers in expanding education and career training programs. This will enable them to help job-seekers get the skills they need for in-demand careers.
